Kite



March 15, 1932. AK 1,849,133

KITE

Filed May 26. 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet l fie/4 0mm March 15, 1932. F. F.BAKER 1,849,133

KITE

Filed May 26, 1950 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 if 0a QWWWM/ PatenteclMar. 15,1932 I FRIEND rfmxxnmor LOS ANG LEscALIronNIA j Application filed Ma 26,

This invention relates to a'kite and it is a general object of theinvention to provide a novel and attractive ki'te. f

It'is another-object of the inventionto pro Vide a frame constructionfor akite which is particularly sturdy "and capable of withstandingconsiderable hard usage and which is easily and quickly assembled.

Another object of the invention is to'provide a frame construction for akitejwhich is formed entirely of metal and'whi'ch m'ay be.

, handled and sold in a knocked-down or dis- I assembled conditionf I yIt is another object of the invention to provide a kitethat simulates orhas the appearance of'a' monoplane type of aeroplane.

I is particularly I simple "andinexpensive to manufacture. I I IOther-objects. and features of my invention will be best and more fullyunderstood from: the following detailed description of a typi- 30 calform and application of the invention,

throughout which description reference is had to the accompanying;drawings, in which Fig. l-is a bottom-view of one form of the kite. Fig.2 is a front view of the kite shown inFig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlargedplan'view of a kite frame provided by this invention.

Fig. 4 is a sideielevation of a portion of the kite illustratediin Fig.l, being-a view'taken substantially as indicated line on Fig.3. Fi 5 isan enlarged'plan view of a portion 0 ner of connecting thebody andwingframe member s. Fig. dis .a vertical detailed sectional view takensubstantially as indicated by line 6 6 on-Fig. 5. Figs. 7 and 8 "are enlarged transverse detailed sectional views of the frame, being viewstaken as' indicated by lines '77 and 88, respe ctive ly, on Fig. 3. Fig.9 forward portion of theframer Fig.10 is a tached to the. end

the frame illustrating'the man-Q is an enlarged view of the upper or:

i930. Serial 1%. 455,51e.

transverse detailedsectional view taken substantially as indicated byline 10-10 on Fig.

rated in the embodiment of the invention'il lustrated in Fig. 12.- r qThe kite provided includes, generally, a frame 10 covering 11 on theframe providing a fuselage" or' body 12, wings 13% tail 14 and astabilizing-fin 0r rudder 15; a stabilizing element 16 at of the'tail-14, and landing gear 17.

he frame 10' is in the nature of a framework orsupporting structure forthe'various other parts ofthe kite. In accordance with the preferredformef'the invention the frame 10 is formed entirely of metal. The frame10 includes a' central longitudinal body member 20, a transverse wingmember 21, and a tail member'22' The frame members 20*, 21, and22 areformed ofwire of channel or U shaped: cross sectional configuration. Thecross sectional shape of the frame members isclearly-illustrated inFigs. 7*an'd .8 ofv the drawings. The frame members" 20, 21, and 22 maybe formed of channel-shaped wire stock of the same dimensions. I 1 Thebedy frame member 20'is the central lon gitudinal frame part of theconstruction and'is comparatively long,' extending from the top orforward'end' of thekite to its rear.

nel ire is provided at the 'fo'rward'end of the frame member 20. Thecrosshead 24 is preferably mounted at the extreme forward? end of thebody member 20 and pro ects laterallycutward in opposite directions fromthe member 20. The crossheadflt is arranged i at right angles to themember 20 and is pref erably comparatively short.

'by the presentinvention 1- weight or cross sectional endI- The bodymember 20 is arranged so W1 Thecrosshead- ESQ 24; may be secured to themember 20 in any suitable manner. In the particular case illustrated inthe drawings, the body member 20 is provided at its forward end with alaterally bent or projecting portion 25 extending into the channel ofthe crosshead 2 1. The lateral portion 25 may be soldered or welded inthe channel of the crosshe-a-d 24:.

The wing frame member 21 is a comparatively long part arrangedtransversely of the .body member 20. The wing member 21 intersects orcrosses the frame member 20 at a point spaced a short distance from theforward end of the body member. The wing member 21 is arranged at rightangles to the body member 20 and projects equal distances from oppositesides of the body member. The wing member 21 is arranged so that itsopen side or channel 25 is faced downwardly and is arranged against theupper side of the body member 20. c

The invention provides novel and effective means for connecting themembers. 20 and 21. A connecting part 27 extends over the wing member 21and has its ends secured in the channel 23 of the body member 20. The

portion of the connecting'part 2. extending over the frame member 21forms a loop or opening through which the wing member 21 may be insertedwhen the frame is assembled. A connecting part 28 similar to the part 27is arranged in the channel 25 of the wing member 21 to extend under andengage the part 27. The opposite ends of the connecting part 27 aresecured in the channel 25' of the wing member21 and its central portionis bowed or curved outwardly to receive the part 27. hen the frame 10 ofthe kite is manufactured, the connecting part 28 may have one endsecured in the channel 25 and its opposite end may be unattached so thatit may be arranged over the body member 20 when the frame is to beassembled. The connecting parts 27 and 28 may be secured in the channelsof the frame members in any suitable manner for example, they may bewelded or soldered in the channels of the frame members 20 and 21.

The wing member 21 forms the forward edge of the wings 13 of the kiteand the member 21 may be provided at its opposite ends with rearwardlyprojecting portions 29 to form the ends of the wing. The portions 29 maybe integral with the frame member 20 and may project rearwardly andoutwardly as clearly illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawings.

The tail member 22 is arranged transversely of the body member 20 toproject from opposite sides of the body member. The tail member 22 ispreferably mounted at the extremelower or rear end of the body member 20and is at right angles to the bod member and parallel with the. wingmember. Forwardly projecting end parts 30 are provided at opposite endsof the tail member 22 to form the opposite ends of the tail 1 of thekite. The end parts 30 may project for wardly and outwardly from thecentral portion of the tail member 20. The tail member 20 may be securedto the body member in any suitable manner. F or example, it maybesecuredto the body member 2Q in the same manner as the crosshead 24. Theframe 10 is provided with an upwardly projecting rudder member 31. Themember 31 projects upwardly from the body member 20 at a point spacedforwardly from the rear end of the body member and its upper end extendsupwardly and rearwardly as clearly illustrated in Fig. 4 of thedrawings.

Cords or lines may extend between the various parts of the frame 10 tostrengt ien and lend rigidity to the frame structure. A cord or line 33connects the opposite ends of the wing member 21.' The line 33 isarranged at the upper side of the kite and is stretched tightly so thatthe wing member 20 is bowed or sprung so that its opposite ends or armsare curved upwardly and outwardly asillustrated in Fig. 2 of thedrawings. Rings 3% may be secured in the channel 25 at the op positeends of the wing member 21 and the ends of the line-33 may be secured ortied to the rings. Cords or l nes may connect tne ,various other partsof the frame. .In the drawings'cords 35 are shown extending-between theends of the crosshead 2-l,' and the rings 34 and cordsor lines 36 mayextend between the rings 3% and the ends of the portions 30 of the tailmember. Ri ngs similar to the rings 34 may be secured in the channels ofthe various frame members to facilitate connection of the lines or cordswith the varions'parts of, the frame.

The covering 11 is provided to offer resistance to the wind or aircurrentsand to give the desired shape and configuration to the kite. Thecovering 11 may be formed of fabric or paper, it being preferred to formthe covering of a light tough paper. If desired, the covering material11 may be suitably colored or decorated. The covering 11 extends over orcovers the lower sideof the frame 10. The coveringll is drawn orarranged between various parts of the frame and cords or linesconnecting the various parts of the frame. In the particularconstruction illustrated in the drawings the covering 11 is arrangedbetween the wing member 21 and lines 40 connecting the portions 29 ofthe wing member with the body member '20. The covering arrangedbetweenthe member 21 and the lines 40 forms the wings 13 of the kite.Lines d1 extend between the ends of the crosshead24: and the wing member21 and paper may be arranged between the crosshead, the wing member, andthe cords to provide the forward portion of the fuselage or body. Lines42 extend between igsa'aaee the tail member'Qlx andthe wing. member; 20to outline opposite sidesof? the: fuselage. of

I the kite. 'T-he lines 4-2. may diverge out;

wardly andforwardly so that the fuselage: 12 is tapering.Linesefl-connectthe. ends/0f the parts 30 with the. frame; member:2'0't'o form the forward'edges of thetail 1%. A

V line-carrying rings 80.

' the like, a'ndthepocketz 3a The steadying 'or stabilizing elementclti'is secured to a loweror rear portion of the kite to steady the kite andtoiprevent: it from turning or becomingiunbalanced .Theeles mentz'leisin the nature ofaparachuteto trap the air" currents or wind and offer resistance to swinging or turning. of theikite.

The element 16 includes an aIlIIUlZQIVII-IBID her or ring. 51' andapocket: 5210ficloth or:- other suitable 1 material. attached to :thering 51. The ring-51 may befermedbfflwire,:or. 52' isxformed: of asuitable light: materials. The pocket. 52 is secured to the ringzel,atLits periphery and 1s providedto trap thei'ai'r'i currents. The

peripheral portions of the :pecket: 52. may' 'b'e folded over the ring51 andstitched together.

7 m The element 16 maybe securedtol theouter end ofthe rudder.memberz'fil hya plurality of lines 53. Theielementllfimaybe-arranged.

immediately adjacent the rudder 15 on the lines 53 may be madecomparatively lon'gfso that the element is. carried some distane'e fromthe kite. The element: 16 actstomaintain the kite in itsproper'positioniin' the/air:

and acts to prevent swingi'ngrof the tailipor tion of the kite.

A line 54 for: holdin'gthekite may besecured to the lower side ofzthekite:v The line 54 may have branch cords 55'connected to the bodymember 20 at spaced point'seso that the kite is properly positionedandi'balanced when in the air.

The running or landing'geai 17 is mount ed on the lower side-or faceofthe kite and" includes spacedwheels 6O rotatably mounted on an axle 61.The aXle61 be "connected with the frame 10 by suitable supports orstruts 62'. The struts 62 may be attached to the body member 20. Thewheels '60 are positioned" so that they will" engage the; ground whenthe kite is brought. down, and. the kite is 'formedi'so that itliasatendencyt glide in asubstantially horizontal position In Figs. 12 to15, inclusive, .of'th'e draw in'gs,lihave illustrated a form of theinvention characterized by a vertical disposed fuselage. The embodimentof theinv'ention illustrated inF-igs. 12 to 15 ll'lClllSlVG in cludes;.general-lyga frame-.70, .a covering 71 on theif rame providing'wings725' abody or fuselage-73; astaili74gan'd .a stabilizing rudder. orifin75 ,.astabilizing element '76at7-1 tachedto thetail. of the kite-,- andlanding.

gear 77 The frame 7 O is preferably formed of metal and-is constructedof wireof channel or Usshap'ed. cross sectional configuration;

The frame 70 includes a :central longitudinal body me1nber 7 8, afuselage member 79 outlining the upper edge offthefuselage73, a

main wingmember vforming the'forward edge of the wings 71, rear'tailmember'81 when pulledid'own by means of the line '54.

forming the rear'edges'ofthe wings, a tail 8 member 82, andaru'dder o'rfin member 83; The body member 78 extends longitudinally of-the kitefrom one end to the other and con- 1 stitutes the" lower edgeof' the.fusela'ge 73;

The fuselage .framevmember 7'9 :is provided to outline the'upper'edgeofthe fuselage 7 3 and is: arranged over? and parallel to the framemember78r Thesfuserlage member .7 9 maybe curved toprovide an attractiveoutline for therfuselage. The forwardend" of thefuse- V lage body7 9 iscurved downwardly and is conr'iected. to the forward endof'thebodymember78-. The rear portion 8lof'thefuse lageg-member79' is curved upwardlyandrearwardly'as'clearly illustrated i i-Fig. 13 ofth'e' V drawings toform the upperedge ofithefrud der 7 5; The rudder member 83 extends yertically between the reari ends of theb'ody member 78 'and'the portionl84to provide the 7 rear edge of'the rudder 75. j

- Themain orfforward wing'member 8Ois arranged transversely of. the bodymember 78i'and is connectedto the body. member at a point spaced. ashortdistance from its -for'-- ward end.. The frame members 78 and 80maybe connectedin the same manner as the members '20 and 21 of the formof the invention described above. The wing member'80 3 'p erably normalto the body member-78' and constitutes the forwardf edges of the wings72. The wing'members'81 are provided to form the rear edges of the wings72: .andsextend-between-'the'body member 78 and the outerrends of' the;wing member-"8 0; The

members 81 are attached tothe body members 78 ata point spacedrearwardly from the point of intersection of: the members 78 and 80 andthe outerportionsof the members :81

may be rounded. or curved and connected Wlth the opposite ends 0f themember 80 as The wing members 80 and:81 may extend up Wardlyj andoutwardly from the body; member clearly illustrated" inFig.. 12-of thedrawings.

78 so that the wings 72 are inclined or bowed upwardly from the bodymember as illustrated in Fig. 14. a

The tail member 82 is attached to the rear end of the body member 78 andis disposed transversely of the body member. The rear member 82 projectsoutwardly equal distances from the opposite sides of the body member 7 8and the outer ends of the tail member 82 may be curved forward toprovidethe opposite ends of the tail 75. The various parts of the framemay be secured together in any suitable manner, for example, they may besoldered or welded together. The frame 10 may be suitably strengthenedand braced by lines or cords connecting its various parts. A line 85extends between the opposite ends of the forward wing member The line ismade tight to retain the wings in their proper inclined positions. Lines86 may connect the ends of the tail member 82 with the body member78 toform the forward edges of the tail 75. trengthening lines 87 may extendbetween the ends of the tail member 82 and spaced points along the bodymember 78-to reinforce the construction. Rings 88 maybe provided tocarry ends from the variouslines or cords, and the rings 88 may bearranged in the channel of the various frame members in the mannerdescribed above. i 1

The covering 71 is arranged on the frame 10 to offer resistance to theair currents and to give the desired shape to the kite. The covering 71may be of paper or suitable-material and may be colored or decorated asde sired. The covering 71 is drawn or arranged between the body member78 and the fuselage member 7 9 to provide the vertically disposedfuselage 73 and rudder 75. The-covering material 71 is arranged betweenthe wing members 80 and 81 to form the wings 72 and between the tailmembers 82 and the lines 86 to form the tail 74:. i

In accordance with the broader principles of the invention the coveringmaterial 71 may be secured to thevarious frame members in any suitablemanner, for example, the edge portion of the covering may be folded overthe various parts of the frame and may be secured to the main portionsof the covering by glue, mucilage, or the like.

The stabilizing element 7 6 is attached to the'tail or rear portion ofthe kite to steady the kite when in operation. The stabilizing element 761 is similar generally to the element 16 described above, and includesa ring 70 of wire, or the like, a pocket 71 formed of cloth or othersuitable material. In the par ticular form of the invention illustratedin Figs. 12, 13, and 15, the material 91 is attached to the ring atspaced points only. The stabilizing element 76 is attached to the kiteby a line or cord 92 connectedto the end of a frame member 78. Aplurality of branch lines 93 may connect the line 92 with the ring 70The pocket 71 is adapted to catch or trap the air currents to provide arelatively fixed element to stabilize the kite in the air.

The landing or running gear is provided at the lower or under side ofthe kite and includes two spaced wheels 94: rotatably mounted on thelower ends of struts or supports 95. The supports 95 may projectdownwardly from the wing member 80 and may be reinforced by atransversely arranged reinforcing member 96. Lines or cords 97 mayextend from the opposite ends of the reinforcing member 96 to thefuselage frame member 7 9 to strengthen the construction. The wheels 9&are positioned so that they strike or engage the ground when the kite isbrought down.

A line or cord 98 may be employed for carrying or holding the kite. Theline 98 may have branch cords 99 connected to the body member 78atlongitudinally spaced points. It will be obvious that the cords 99 maybe usted so that the kite will be properly positioned and balanced whenin the air.

. It is tobe noted that the kite provided by this invention isparticularly attractive in appearance and incorporates featuresresembling aircraft. The frame 10 is constructed so that the wing member21 and the body 20 may be easily andquickly assembled. The frame 10,being formed of channel wire, is particularly strong and is suiiicientlyflexible to provide for the efficient operation of the kite. Thestabilizing element 16 otters considerable resistance to the aircurrents so that it operates as a relatively stationary member toprevent swinging and turning of the kite. The stabilizing element 16 isattractive inappearance and replaces the elongated cloth 1 tail commonlyemployed on kites.

Having described only a typical preferred form of myinvention, I do notwish to limit myself to the specific details set forth, but wish toreserve to myself any changes or variations that may appear to thoseskilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, T claim 1. A kite including, body framemember of U-shaped cross sectional configuration, a transverse wingframe member of U-shaped cross sectlonal configuration, means connecting the two frame members including, a connecting part in the channel ofone frame member extending overand engaging the other frame member, andcovering on the frame members.

2. A kite including, a body frame member of U-shaped cross sectionalconfiguration, a transverse wing frame member of U-shaped crosssectional configuration, means connecting the two frame membersincluding, a connecting part in the channel of one frame memberextending over and engaging the other frame member, a connecting part inthe channel of the other frame member extending over and engaging thefirst-mentioned connecting part, and covering on the frame members.

8. 'A frame for a kite including, a body nember having a longitudinalchannel, a Wing member extending transversely of the body member havinga longitudinal channel, and means connecting the two members including apart having its ends secured in the channel of one member and extendingtransversely across the other member.

4. A frame for a kite including, a body bodymember and Wingmember, andspaced rotatable Wheels carried by the support members, the body member,the Wing member, and the said support members being of re= silient steeland being connected and related so as to mutually take up landingshocks,

In Witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my namethis 19th day of May, 1930. p

' a a FRIEND F. BAKER.

member having a longitudinal channel, a

Wing member extending transversely of the body member having alongitudinal channel, and means connecting the two. members including apart having its ends secured in the channel of one memberand extendingtransversely across the other member and a part a 7 having its endsmounted'in the channel of the said other member. and extending over thefirst-mentioned part.

5. A kite including, a frame structure of members having longitudinalchannels including a body member, a Wing member extending transverselyof the body member, and

r a tail member at one end of the body member extending transversely ofthe body member, lines extending from the ends of the Wing member to thebody member, the lines and Wing member outlining wings, lines extendingbetween the ends of thetail member and the body member, the said linesand tail mem ber outlining atail, and lines or channels extendingbetween the Wing member and the tail member outlining a fuselage, and acovering between the lines and the members.

6. A monoplane kite including, a longitudinal body member, a Wing memberattached 7. A monoplane kite including,'a longitudinal body member, aWing member attached r to the body member and extending transverse lythereof, a tail member at the'rear end of the body and extendingtransversely thereof,

the said members being of U'-shaped cross sectional configuration, linesand cover ng attached to the members to represent a fuselage, a Wing,and a tail, and landing gear in j cluding support members of U-shapedcross sectional configuration depending from the

